Really Heavy Rider

Intelligence3 said:

I used to ride religiously, some competitive mountain biking, commuted ~15 miles each way on my bike, etc. Then I was in a really bad accident (hit by a car), mangled my knee, couldn't walk much for a long time, serious long-term depression, etc. Long story short, I haven't ridden in years, and I gained a lot of weight. A lot. I weigh almost 400 pounds now (I am well over 6 feet, when I was a daily runner and rider I still weighed about 220 pounds). Doctor has given okay for some low-intensity biking as my knee has recovered enough and my weight is obviously a big problem. Challenge is, I have no idea if there is any bike out there that will hold me. Any ideas?

Thanks for the help.

no worries get a mt bike maybe no suspension good wheels three x lacing is prolly safe, anyone else know exactly?

Intelligence3 said:

I used to ride religiously, some competitive mountain biking, commuted ~15 miles each way on my bike, etc. Then I was in a really bad accident (hit by a car), mangled my knee, couldn't walk much for a long time, serious long-term depression, etc. Long story short, I haven't ridden in years, and I gained a lot of weight. A lot. I weigh almost 400 pounds now (I am well over 6 feet, when I was a daily runner and rider I still weighed about 220 pounds). Doctor has given okay for some low-intensity biking as my knee has recovered enough and my weight is obviously a big problem. Challenge is, I have no idea if there is any bike out there that will hold me. Any ideas?

Thanks for the help.

I weighted in at about 325lbs when I got my 1979 Schwinn CONTINENTAL (used)
was also hurt in a fall and then a car wreck
I stand 6'4" didnt hurt my knee but did my back
make sure ya get a steel frame
the CONTINENTAL has held up good, no problem
down to about 250 now 🙂

Intelligence3 said:

I used to ride religiously, some competitive mountain biking, commuted ~15 miles each way on my bike, etc. Then I was in a really bad accident (hit by a car), mangled my knee, couldn't walk much for a long time, serious long-term depression, etc. Long story short, I haven't ridden in years, and I gained a lot of weight. A lot. I weigh almost 400 pounds now (I am well over 6 feet, when I was a daily runner and rider I still weighed about 220 pounds). Doctor has given okay for some low-intensity biking as my knee has recovered enough and my weight is obviously a big problem. Challenge is, I have no idea if there is any bike out there that will hold me. Any ideas?

Thanks for the help.

Are you just planning on riding the bike around as part of a health/weight loss program? Or are you planning on getting some big air and doing 5' drops? Hope not.

If the former, I would think an al MTB would hold up. Some suspension forks will have lockouts to turn them into a rigid fork. As for wheels, I just bought a pair of Shimano Deore LX hubs laced to SUN BMF (Big Mammoth Fat, actually) rims as an upgrade to my factory wheels. These things are heavy but they should be durable enough to stand up to just about anything. You may want to get the 36 spoke version.

I believe these rims have been discontinued. I bought mine new for a pretty fair price on ebay.

Edit: Welcome back to cycling.

Doctor Morbius said:

Are you just planning on riding the bike around as part of a health/weight loss program? Or are you planning on getting some big air and doing 5' drops? Hope not.

If the former, I would think an al MTB would hold up. Some suspension forks will have lockouts to turn them into a rigid fork. As for wheels, I just bought a pair of Shimano Deore LX hubs laced to SUN BMF (Big Mammoth Fat, actually) rims as an upgrade to my factory wheels. These things are heavy but they should be durable enough to stand up to just about anything. You may want to get the 36 spoke version.

I believe these rims have been discontinued. I bought mine new for a pretty fair price on ebay.

Edit: Welcome back to cycling.

Thanks for the info, everyone. And the welcome! 😄

I am just gonna toodle around town for a while to lose weight. I am way out of shape obviously, and the knee is just okay, not perfect, so I will be taking it easy.

I still have my old 1992 Diamondback Topanga that was my first mountain bike. That might be able to do it, then, with the right wheels? (And a major tuneup. 🙄 )

This is great info for a starting point. Thanks a lot! In case I have trouble finding those rims, any other suggestions?

Intelligence3 said:

Thanks for the info, everyone. And the welcome! 😄

I am just gonna toodle around town for a while to lose weight. I am way out of shape obviously, and the knee is just okay, not perfect, so I will be taking it easy.

I still have my old 1992 Diamondback Topanga that was my first mountain bike. That might be able to do it, then, with the right wheels? (And a major tuneup. 🙄 )

This is great info for a starting point. Thanks a lot! In case I have trouble finding those rims, any other suggestions?

Your 1992 Diamondback Topanga is a good starting place.
Clean the braking surface of the rims and get some Kool-Stop Salmon color pads for your brakes.
Have the wheels checked for even spoke tension. 100 Kgf on all front spokes and right rear spokes. Keep the tires inflated to nearly their maximum rating.
Check your brake cables and housings carefully and replace as needed.
There are lots of heavy people out their riding.
I hope you will get encouragement to gain fitness and lose some weight. Injuries are a major issue... as many of us can attest.